Here's
a summary of the top 10 jobs:
10.
Occupational
Therapist
Salary Range: $48,920-$102,520
The term "occupational therapist" is purposely vague, because the
purview for which these highly trained professionals could provide therapy is
exhaustive. Patients with mental, physical, developmental, and emotional disabilities
might see an occupational therapist to learn to function independently. There
is no "typical" day, and therapists' specific—yet varied—skills will
particularly be in demand as a large chunk of our population ages. This is one
of fastest growing occupations this decade, but to land one of the 36,400
positions available before 2020, you'll have needed a headstart. Certified
therapists must earn at least a master's degree from an accredited university.
9.
Computer
Programmer
Salary
Range: $40,820-$114,180
Unlike
some of the others on the list, computer programmers might be able to enter the
field with a two-year degree instead of a four-year bachelor's. But if you're
going to advance, it's best to think of yourself as a perpetual student who's
always staying just ahead of the latest programming language, says 30-year
industry veteran Barry Warsaw. Computer programmers eeked out a spot on our top
10 thanks to strong job satisfaction numbers, competitive salaries, and
excellent job prospects.
8.
Physical
Therapist
Salary
Range: $53,620-$107,920
This
is another healthcare job that requires a minimum of a master's degree to begin
practicing. And with good reason, since physical therapists often see patients
overcoming adversity: Injured athletes, amputees, and stroke victims might all
find themselves working with these professionals to rebuild their range of
motion, coordination, and muscle strength. This profession graces our top 10
not only because of its comfortable salary and good job prospects, but because
it's also one of the faster-growing occupations of the next decade. There
should be a nearly 40-percent increase in available positions by 2020.
7.
Computer Systems
Analyst
Salary
Range: $48,360-$119,070
Think
of this occupation as a very technically oriented project manager. Computer
systems analysts determine the technological needs of their clients and then
help configure a system to fulfill those needs. They often serve as a liaison
between the client and another occupation on our top 10, software
developers, when compiling a rundown of necessary hardware
specifications. Similar to other information technology professions, computer
systems analysts should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a
computer-related field. David P. Bieg, chief operating officer for the
International Institute for Business Analysis, also recommends that
analysts-to-be spend time learning business systems analysis.
6.
Web Developer
Salary
Range: $43,190-$119,940
Web
developers use their knowledge of applications and HTML code and couple that
with an understanding of Web users' preferred browsing experience to create
visually appealing, intuitive, and organized Web content. A bachelor's degree
in a computer-related concentration is usually the first requirement to land
one of the 65,700 expected jobs in this profession, but you could also study to
receive certifications that designate your level of expertise. And there are a
few other good qualities Web developers should have that can't be learned:
patience, imagination, and versatility.
5.
Database
Administrator
Salary
Range: $41,570-$115,660
Does
anyone even use file cabinets anymore? Much of today's storage lives on a
datachip, and competent database administrators (DBAs) are needed to build and
maintain the systems used to house that information. Challenger explains why
now is prime time to enter into this IT job: "The educational system
hasn't caught up with the demand for technology skills. ... The education and
preparation people need to qualify for science and technology jobs is extensive
enough and requires so much that the population has yet to fully recognize the
requirements to do the job." DBAs should earn a bachelor's degree in
computer science or management information systems, and might want to pursue a
master's in business administration. You should also obtain certification for
as many database platforms as possible, so that your skills are transferable
from one company to the next.
4.
Medical
Assistant
Salary
Range: $20,810-$40,190
There's
no formal training required to become a medical assistant—technically. But if
you want to distinguish yourself from the 162,900 other budding medical
assistants out there, you gotta get a gimmick, says Jean Lynch, director of
communications and marketing at the American Association of Medical Assistants.
For example, if you want to work in a dermatologist's office, consider training
and certification as an esthetician or massage
therapist. Keep in mind that the additional knowledge, when coupled
with experience, could lead to a promotion into other healthcare-support positions.
3.
Pharmacist
Salary
Range: $82,090-$138,620
There
are some obvious perks to this profession. The compensation is one—pharmacists
earn one of the highest average salaries of all of our Best Jobs—and excellent
job prospects is another. But these literal pill pushers also undergo years of
study, several examinations, and a postgraduate residency before donning their
white coats. And like many healthcare practitioners, pharmacists frequently
work evening shifts, weekends, and some holidays. Place yourself ahead of the
competition during your job hunt by trying to secure internships early in your
education. Also consider taking a few business courses if your program doesn't
already include them in the curriculum, since many pharmacists work within
retail facilities.
2.
Software
Developer
Salary
Range: $54,360-$87,790
According
to Bryan Cantrill, the vice president of engineering with the cloud-computing
company Joyent, software developers should have one hand writing code and the
other on the pulse of the evolving IT world. Advances are constant in this
industry, and having an inquisitive nature will serve a budding developer well.
Nailing as much on-the-job training as possible will also help, particularly as
some software developers are able to advance through the ranks based on their
experience.
1.
Registered Nurse Salary Range:
$44,190-$95,130
One
of the first things you should determine when entering this field is what type
of nursing you'd like to do. According to Michael Wolf, an economist with the
BLS, one of the reasons this profession will gain nearly 712,000 positions this
decade is because it's such an expansive profession, period. "Actually its
growth rate is good, but not out of line with some other occupations," he
says. "Registered nurses should grow by
about 26 percent. The healthcare practitioner occupations as a whole have a
growth rate of about 26 percent, though." The bench might be deep, but the
playing field is still competitive. For a better chance at landing a nursing job, you'll want to determine your niche
early, consider using virtual networking tools, and look for employment outside
a hospital setting.
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